Resolutions adopted at the 130th
Annual Meeting of the
1)
The Michigan
State Horticultural Society requests that the Michigan Department of
Agriculture be empowered and mandated to remove or cause to be removed orchards
and vineyards which have been abandoned. Abandonment is defined as those trees
and vines which create the potential for disease and/or insect transfer to
commercial production within one mile, and are not being managed and cared for
according to Generally Accepted Agricultural Practices.
2)
Because of
economic hardship caused by the deer damage to newly planted and young fruit
trees and other agricultural crops, we support
3)
We reaffirm
resolutions passed in 1999 and 1998.
a)
(1999) Food
Quality Protection Act: The Michigan State Horticultural Society reaffirms
the need to ensure that the Food Quality Protection Act implementation be based
on sound science and economic impact.
Hence, the necessity that all commodities have economic alternatives to
the loss of any crop protection products is paramount to the success of the
b)
1999. Labor:
Whereas the Michigan fruit industry is highly dependent upon labor, and whereas
in recent years, for a variety of reasons, there are concerns about shortages
of labor to harvest and process/pack the crops, therefore be it resolved that
the Michigan State Horticultural Society supports: 1) increased funding in state housing grants,
2) expanding and simplifying entry into the US for temporary seasonal
agricultural workers, and 3) the development of more structure networking
within the growing community.
c)
1998. Country
of Origin Labeling: The Michigan State Horticultural Society acknowledges
the original efforts to establish a country of origin label for foodstuff.
Legislation needs to be defined, adopted and enforced. No abbreviations should
be allowed and the country of origin placement needs to be prominently
displayed. This requirement would ensure and informed consumer decision
4)
Apples –
Program Crop: Whereas the federal
government, Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies impose
regulations that increase an apple grower’s production costs, including
chemical costs, minimum wage, etc., we feel the USDA should consider apples as
a program crop eligible for program payments.
5)
The Michigan
State Horticultural Society encourages the USDA to use accounting practices of
the same standards as are used for other businesses when determining net
profits; capital costs, including depreciation and management costs, need to be
included for a true net farm income profit figure, not a political figure.
6)
We support the
continued funding for fireblight research and
post-harvest apple research at MSU.